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THIS week lets study idioms that relate to hour and minute, the building blocks of time. At the eleventh hour: at the last possible time before something would be too late. The kidnappers almost got away but the arrival of the police at the eleventh hour led to their arrest. At an/some unearthly hour: at an inconvenient time, either very early or very late. It takes 10 hours to reach Shimla and I would prefer to leave early in the morning so that I don’t reach there at some unearthly hour. Keep regular/good/bad hours: have a normal/ bad daily routing; get up, go to bed/work etc. at usual/irregular times. Doctors say that keeping regular hours is good for one’s health. The small hours (of the morning): the hours after midnight, usually 1am to 4 am. He has insomnia and usually manages to fall asleep only in the small hours of the morning. In someone’s hour of need: at a time when someone needs help. I am not surprised that she has fallen in love with him. After all, he was the only one who stood by her in her hour of need. (Do something) at the (very) last minute: at the very last minute or opportunity, even though it could have been done earlier. Even though I had the whole week to write the report, I ended up doing it at the very last minute. Not have a minute to call your own: be very busy doing things, often for other people; have no time for oneself. Ever since my cousins came to stay with me, I have not had a minute to call my own. The minute someone’s back is turned: while someone is somewhere else, or is unable to notice what is happening. The minute my back is turned, my sons start fighting. Have (got) a minute: have time/be available to do something. I am busy right now but I will call you as soon as I have got a minute. (Reference: Cambridge
International Dictionary of Idioms) |
